Twenty floors above the shimmering lights of the Hamburg docks, Public Prosecutor Chastity Riley is celebrating a birthday with friends in a hotel bar when twelve heavily armed men pull out guns, and take everyone hostage. Among the hostages is Konrad Hoogsmart, the hotel owner, who is being targeted by a young man whose life - and family - have been destroyed by Hoogsmart's actions.
With the police looking on from outside - their colleagues' lives at stake - and Chastity on the inside, increasingly ill from an unexpected case of sepsis, the stage is set for a dramatic confrontation ... and a devastating outcome for the team ... all live streamed in a terrifying bid for revenge.
Crackling with energy and populated by a cast of unforgettable characters, Hotel Cartagena is a searing, relevant thriller that will leave you breathless.
Praise for Hotel Cartagena:
a hallucinatory fairground ride … shocking and deeply romantic
- The Times- As with all the books in this outstanding series, Hotel Cartagena effortlessly exudes the essence of film noir and Rachel Ward's superb translation deserves all the plaudits for capturing the supercharged emotions so perfectly. The sense of place throughout is exemplary, from the grey, damp claustrophobia of Hamburg to the dangerous temptations in Colombia while the acerbic dialogue and perceptive characterisation is tender and honest too. Possibly my favourite in the series so far, Hotel Cartagena is starkly atmospheric and oozing style but achingly poignant and beautifully compelling. Just sublime!
- Karen, Crime Fiction Blogger, Hair Past a Freckle blog - Unless you speak German, you can’t have one without the other: once again I am in awe of Rachel Ward. Respecting Simone’s unique style and keeping the German vibe going, while creating a readable English equivalent of the German original is nothing to sneeze at.
- From Belgium with Book Love - A big round of applause to Rachel Ward for the impeccable translation, which makes it possible for us to get to know Chas Riley and the rest of the characters!
- It’s All About Books - Rachel Ward’s sensitive translation expertly supports Buchholz’s adventurous prose.
- Paterson Loarn